The Los Angeles Chargers hold the No. 22 pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Most folks are expecting them to go for offense in the first round. But reality might be different. Yes! As per the reports, there’s a strong chance they might go in a different direction in Round 1. With head coach Jim Harbaugh in charge, there are some big holes to patch on this roster’s defensive line, especially at edge rusher or defensive tackle.

It’s not like the D-line is empty. Teair Tart, Otito Ogbonnia, and Scott Matlock are all there in the mix. Plus, they recently added Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones. Together, they all become a solid team. But let’s be honest: after Joey Bosa’s exit, Jim Harbaugh and his team haven’t found a real anchor yet. So, if there’s a time to grab in the draft, why shouldn’t they? And what if they find a former wrestler on their hunt? It would definitely be the cherry on the cake.

According to a report by Thomas Martinez on X, “The #Chargers hosted Rutgers DT Kyonte Hamilton on a private pre-draft visit per @JamesSimoneNFL. Hamilton is a 6’3 305lb DT that spent time all over the line and was a former high school nationally ranked wrestler who originally committed to Rutgers as a wrestler.” That’s dope.

Back in high school, Hamilton was a monster on the mat. Top-ranked in the country at 220 pounds, wrestling was his world. So, football came later for him. During that time, he was all set to wrestle for Rutgers, but something about the gridiron kept pulling him in. He couldn’t ignore it, and then came the twist.

The wrestling coaches talked to football head coach Greg Schiano about the player’s interest. As a result, they invited Hamilton to junior day, and guess what? He showed up and earned a football offer. Talking about that experience, the young man expressed, “Without wrestling, I probably wouldn’t have gotten that offer. I was not really recruited for football – my school wasn’t a huge football school. I was just blessed to have an opportunity to get that offer.” Lucky, indeed. But, hey, what took him so long?

COVID-19 shadowed his senior season. Still, Hamilton showed up to campus, starting as a tight end, and then quickly moved to the defensive line. He played all 13 games in his freshman year, despite being inexperienced. Of course, his wrestling background gave him that edge.

“It’s a lot of hand fighting, a lot of leverage. I would say the main thing that helps is when you’re pass rushing, it’s all about beating the hands. As a wrestler my entire life, it’s always been about hand fighting, beating the hands, and getting to the legs. It definitely translates well and helps me with my pass rush—I actually use certain wrestling moves to improve it,” he noted. Hamilton looks like a perfect fit for the defensive line, and if his chemistry with Jim Harbaugh clicks, the Chargers might see him join the team in this year’s draft.

Meanwhile, other potential picks are also emerging for the franchise.

Jim Harbaugh would be drafting some elites this time!

The Chargers are sitting in a pretty sweet spot this draft season. Most mock drafts throw in Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan connection and call it a day, handing them tight end Colston Loveland like it’s a done deal. But Mel Kiper Jr. is not playing that game.

Teaming up with Field Yates, he just dropped a three-round mock, and let’s just say – Chargers fans have every reason to be fired up. First up, Kiper has them snagging Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka in Round 1. No doubt, Justin Herbert would absolutely love this kid’s sharp routes and steady hands. In fact, with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and a returning Mike Williams, the offense will start to look really scary.

Then, in Round 2, the Chargers could land another Buckeye running back, Quinshon Judkins. Two Ohio State stars under a former Michigan coach? Sounds wild, doesn’t it? But as we all know, Harbaugh is about winning, and Judkins brings that power, grit, and punch that fits his style to the core. This is also evident in his stats, where he ran for over 1,000 yards three years straight and punched in 14 touchdowns last season. Even with Najee Harris on board, Judkins could make an impact from Day 1 and grow into a true workhorse.

And then, by Round 3, they scoop up Notre Dame’s defensive tackle Rylie Mills. He is a solid, dependable player who adds strength up front. So, let’s see what the Chargers get this time! Buckle up!